Baltimore Hebrew Institute

The Baltimore Hebrew Institute (formerly Baltimore Hebrew University) at Towson University, is committed to supporting the education of Jewish educators, communal professionals and Judaic studies scholars who wish to excel in their chosen fields.

Video of Stephanie Aseraph — Meet Stephanie Aseraph who completed a BA/MA in Family Studies and Jewish Studies, Education and Communal Leadership. Watch the Video

Historical Context

For 90 years, Baltimore Hebrew University educated the Jewish community and many other scholars about Jewish tradition, culture, history and faith. It integrated with Towson University in 2009, carrying on their joint commitment to educational excellence.

Main Focus Areas of BHI

The Baltimore Hebrew Institute has two main areas of focus:

Supporting Judaic Studies Graduate Students

TU's Judaic Studies graduate programs provide outstanding opportunities for graduate certificates in Holocaust Education, Jewish Communal Service and Jewish Education and a Masters degree in Jewish Studies, Education and Communal Leadership in a vibrant, cohesive community.

BHI offers generous scholarships and works with each student to custom tailor a program that meets their goals while also creating enrichment programs that foster community between students, faculty and staff.

Community Enrichment

At BHI we provide community enrichment in ways that engage and welcome all who are interested. BHI offers non-degree courses (including Modern Hebrew Language instruction), lectures, events, and trips that provide opportunities for adults to deepen their understanding of Jewish and Israeli culture, history, and current events.

“ At TU, I am surrounded by fellow students and professors who have a passion for Jewish education. ”

Jennifer Platt, 2019 Friedman Fellowship Winner

Affiliated Faculty

Dr. Hana Bor

Professor
Graduate Program Director of Jewish Studies, Education and Communal Leadership
Department of Family Science

hbor@towson.edu

Dr. Eyal Bor

Lecturer and Program Coordinator
Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures
Hebrew Language

ebor@towson.edu

Dr. Benjamin Fisher

Associate Professor
Graduate Program Director of Jewish Studies
Department of History

bfisher@towson.edu

Dr. Brian Hillman

Assistant Professor
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

bhillman@towson.edu

Dr. Rebecca Shargel

Professor
Department of Learning Technologies, Design & School Library Media

rshargel@towson.edu

Dr. Gilad Sharvit

Assistant Professor
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

gsharvit@towson.edu

Dr. Jillian Stinchcomb

Assistant Professor
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

jstinchcomb@towson.edu

Dr. Barry M. Gittlen

Professor Emeritus
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

bgittlen@towson.edu

THE GOLDEN I.D PROGRAM

Discounted Tuition and More

If you are 60 years of age, you can get a discounted tuition rate for up to three undergraduate courses. Other benefits include:

Discounted parking fee
Free access to campus athletic events
Discounts to campus cultural events

Find out more about the Golden I.D. Tuition Waiver Program .

Learn About Judaic Books and Artifacts

Housed at the Albert S. Cook Library, we are honored and proud to sustain and expand the largest collection of Judaic books and artifacts in the Mid-Atlantic through the Southeastern United States. The collection contains more than four thousand rare books and documents, including many from the Jewish Cultural Reconstruction that were reclaimed from Nazi seizure following World War II.

Contact Information